Publication

Atorvastatin added to interferon β for relapsing multiple sclerosis: a randomized controlled trial

Journal Paper/Review - May 9, 2012

Units
PubMed
Doi

Citation
Kamm C, Naegelin Y, Kappos L, Tettenborn B, Slotboom J, Müller F, Goebels N, Müller M, Donati F, Schött D, Schwegler G, Burren Y, von Bredow F, Findling O, Humpert S, El-Koussy M, Mattle H. Atorvastatin added to interferon β for relapsing multiple sclerosis: a randomized controlled trial. J Neurol 2012; 259:2401-13.
Type
Journal Paper/Review (English)
Journal
J Neurol 2012; 259
Publication Date
May 9, 2012
Issn Electronic
1432-1459
Pages
2401-13
Brief description/objective

Statins have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties in addition to lipid-lowering effects. The present study evaluated the effect of atorvastatin added to interferon beta-1b in multiple sclerosis (MS) in a multicenter, randomized, parallel-group, rater-blinded study performed in eight Swiss hospitals. Seventy-seven patients with relapsing-remitting MS started interferon beta-1b every other day. After 3 months, they were randomized 1:1 to receive atorvastatin 40 mg/day or not in addition to interferon beta-1b until month 15. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients with new lesions on T2-weighted images at month 15 compared to baseline at month three. At study end, the proportion of patients with new lesions on T2-weighted images was equal in both groups (odds ratio 1.14; 95 % CI 0.36-3.56; p = 0.81). All predefined secondary endpoints including number of new lesions and total lesion volume on T2-weighted images, total number of new Gd-enhancing lesions on T1-weighted images, total brain volume, volume of grey matter, volume of white matter, EDSS, MSFC, relapse rate, time to first relapse, number of relapse-free patients and neutralizing antibodies did not show any significant differences (all p values >0.1). Transient elevations of liver enzymes were more frequent with atorvastatin (p = 0.02). In conclusion, atorvastatin 40 mg/day in addition to interferon beta-1b did not have a beneficial effect on relapsing-remitting MS compared to interferon beta-1b monotherapy over a 12-month period.